"In my time as Governor, I have seen how beneficial these grants are across West Virginia," Gov. Tomblin said. "They help lift up communities, providing education opportunities, helping us advance our workforce, and addressing critical community needs ranging from infrastructure to public health. The ARC continues to be a strong partner in our local communities, and I am grateful for that partnership - which is helping move our state forward."

The West Virginia Development Office administers the state's ARC program, a partnership of federal, state and local participants providing financial and technical assistance for economic development and infrastructure projects.

Governor Tomblin recommended that Jobs for West Virginia Graduates, Inc. receive a grant of $130,000. The project will provide at-risk high-school students with specialized instruction and guidance, including tutoring and mentoring services, career development training and leadership development. The result will strengthen graduation rates and employability for at-risk students. The project will serve an estimated 120 students.

Jobs for West Virginia Graduates, Inc. (JWVG) is one of thirty-three (33) state affiliates of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). The JAG National Network serves young people with significant barriers to graduation from high school and ensures they transition successfully from middle school to high school, then, work closely with their JAG Specialist to remove all possible barriers to graduate with a high school diploma. In addition to a rigorous remediation and academic program of study, JAG graduates develop 21st Century skills through active participation in a student-led organization called the Career Association with opportunities to develop, practice and refine their leadership and teaming skills through project based and service learning activities and events. JAG graduates are college and career ready at graduation and their JAG Specialist will assist them in pursuing entry level employment and/or enrolling in a collegiate program of study and provide follow-up services for a 12-month post-graduation period.

At the 2016 National Training Seminar, Jobs for West Virginia Graduates was recognized as a “5-of-5” National JAG Affiliate for exceeding the five performance outcomes of a JAG Model program during the 12-month follow-up period. Only fourteen of the thirty-three state affiliates earned the 5-of-5 distinction for serving the Class of 2015.

Congratulations to Jobs for West Virginia Graduates for being recommended by Governor Tomblin for a $130,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant.

For more information about Jobs for West Virginia Graduates, Inc., contact: